Alabama football is set to arrive in Pasadena on Tuesday for a Rose Bowl matchup with Michigan on Jan. 1. The Crimson Tide will face the No. 1 Wolverines in a game that serves as a College Football Playoff semifinal.

Jim Harbaugh’s team enters the game undefeated, boasting the No. 2 defense in the country, and a balanced offensive attack featuring two players who garnered Heisman Trophy votes. As the game approaches, here are three key matchups for the Crimson Tide.

Alabama edge-rushers vs. Michigan offensive line

Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell have terrorized quarterbacks all season coming off the edge for Alabama. Turner earned the SEC’s defensive player of the year award, as voted on by the league’s coaches.

It would behoove the Tide to keep JJ McCarthy under constant pressure, take a dimension away from the Michigan offense. However, the UM offensive line isn’t going to make that easy.

The Wolverines will be without All-American Zak Zinter, who suffered a leg injury vs. Ohio State in the regular season finale. However, the current group did just fine in his absence vs. Iowa in the Big Ten title game.

McCarthy is mobile and liable to take off, but Alabama has racked up 38 sacks this season. The ability of the Tide to affect the quarterback will be a major storyline in the Rose Bowl.

Alabama receivers vs. Michigan secondary

Jalen Milroe has elite arm talent. He’s facing a Michigan defense that is one of the nation’s best.

Alabama will have to take the top off of the Wolverine secondary at some point if it is to find offensive success. That makes the play of UA’s wide receivers a major key to the matchup.

Jermaine Burton has been a constant deep threat for the Tide this year, showing the ability to run fast past whatever defenders are unlucky enough to try and guard him. Alabama has other speedy wideouts, including Isaiah Bond and Malik Benson.

Especially early on in the CFP matchup, Alabama can build serious momentum with explosive plays over the top. That’d be a huge boon for the Crimson Tide offense.

Alabama linebackers vs. Blake Corum

The Wolverines boast one of the top running backs in college football. Blake Corum has run for 1,028 yards and leads the nation in rushing touchdowns with 24 so far.

Corum was named the Big Ten’s running back of the year for the second season in a row, the first player in Michigan history to accomplish such a feat. He finished ninth in Heiman voting, one spot ahead of McCarthy.

He’ll face an Alabama team that has struggled in spots against the run this season. Most recently, Auburn was able to bring the Iron Bowl to the wire, largely off the strength of the run game against the Crimson Tide.

Deontae Lawson, Trezmen Marshall and Jihaad Campbell will need to step up in a big way against the Wolverines. They can use help from the Crimson Tide’s interior defensive linemen, but limiting the run will be necessary if Alabama is going to move on to the national title game.